Nadal: 'To win La Decima is very, very special'

Rafael Nadal obliterated 2015 Roland Garros champion Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to become the first man to win a single Grand Slam title 10 times.

Published : Jun 11, 2017 22:17 IST , Paris

Rafael Nadal kisses The Musketeers' Trophy after winning it for the 10th time.
Rafael Nadal kisses The Musketeers' Trophy after winning it for the 10th time.
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Rafael Nadal kisses The Musketeers' Trophy after winning it for the 10th time.

Rafael Nadal said it was "impossible" to describe his emotions after demolishing Stan Wawrinka on Sunday to claim a record 10th French Open title.

 

The Spaniard obliterated 2015 Roland Garros champion Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to become the first man to win a single Grand Slam title 10 times.

"It's really incredible. To win La Decima is very, very special," said Nadal, after securing the 15th major of his career -- second only to Roger Federer's 18 titles.

"The feeling I have here is impossible to describe. The nerves, the adrenaline I feel when I play on this court, it is impossible to compare.

"It is the most important event in my career, to win again here is impossible to describe."

Nadal also admitted that he doubted he’d ever win another Grand Slam title after a three-year drought at the majors and an ongoing battle with injuries and poor form.

“I have doubts every day but that's good as it makes me work hard with more intensity,” he said.

“You have to be humble and accept that you have to work to improve things.

“I have doubts today, I had doubts in the last three years, I will have doubts in a few days.

“Life is never clear. If you have no doubts, then you are very arrogant. I am not an arrogant person.”

The crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier helped unfurl a banner commemorating Nadal's remarkable feat, with a video montage looking back at all 10 of his triumphs.

Nadal also paid an emotional tribute to his uncle and lifelong coach Toni Nadal, who will step aside from his role at the end of the season.

Toni presented his nephew with a replica of the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy in what is his final French Open before handing over full-time to 1998 Paris champion Carlos Moya.

"My uncle who has been with me since three years old. We have been working a lot and without him no trophies would be possible. Thank you for everything," said Nadal.

The Spaniard, who avenged his defeat to Wawrinka in the 2014 Australian Open final, saluted his Swiss rival's remarkable rise since that time.

"The last couple of years have been amazing for you. Sorry about today, but you had an unbelievable two weeks," he added.

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